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chimichannika's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
reaghan527's review
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
mmotleyu's review against another edition
5.0
Great historical fiction. I hadn't thought fo the prejudice that Asians experienced during post- Reconstruction. Also never knew that suffragettes campaigned only for WHITE women's right to vote. They were very discriminatory to black women. There was a small mystery around who her father was and what was happening in the rich family. The Miss Sweetie column slayed me with its wit and insight. Highly recommend
thehobb's review against another edition
1.0
Remind me again why I'm supposed to care about Jo Kaun.
The prose was absolutely hilarious. Not in the good way that it's intentionally funny, and more in a: "what the actual heck is this" kind of way.
Honestly, this could have been a really great and powerful book as the premise was super strong, but it fell flat in basically every way possible. Sooo. Great. Also, the ending tied basically nothing up. Why were there like three chapters dedicated to the freaking horse race? I don't care? And apparently all of her problems were resolved super quickly with no further consequences for literally anything. Jo Kaun stalked Nathan for a large majority of her life and they ended up falling in love?? No. I refuse this. That is creepy af. I hate this.
Good riddance.
The prose was absolutely hilarious. Not in the good way that it's intentionally funny, and more in a: "what the actual heck is this" kind of way.
Honestly, this could have been a really great and powerful book as the premise was super strong, but it fell flat in basically every way possible. Sooo. Great. Also, the ending tied basically nothing up. Why were there like three chapters dedicated to the freaking horse race? I don't care? And apparently all of her problems were resolved super quickly with no further consequences for literally anything. Jo Kaun stalked Nathan for a large majority of her life and they ended up falling in love?? No. I refuse this. That is creepy af. I hate this.
Good riddance.
justiner16's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
emmaskelton's review against another edition
5.0
A beautiful book that navigates Asian racism during Jim Crow era- where being Chinese is not Black but also not White. Also, I loved the writing, and the fashion.
ndbeyer's review against another edition
5.0
I fell in love with the strong female characters in this book. Jo and Noemi are both strong but positive women. The Miss Sweetie nuggets of wisdom were fun. Ms. Lee did a great job of making her characters real and likable - I can't wait to read others by her.
books4susie's review against another edition
5.0
A phenomenal book that I couldn't put down. I loved Jo Kuan's story. So far, Reese Witherspoon's YA book club hasn't steered me wrong.
paige_georgia_reads's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
informative
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
A fantastic book with a fantastic main character. I stayed up late reading this, and I’m glad I did!
elodieslibrary's review
The writing felt weirdly stilted. There was nothing truly wrong with the book, but every time I would pick it up to read it I felt like I was forcing myself to continue. Eventually I just stopped reading it and honestly felt relieved.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism